Steven Spielberg’s THE BFG Casts Its Young Lead

December 17, 2014

Newcomer tapped for big screen adaptation…

DreamWorks Studios has announced that newcomer Ruby Barnhill has been cast as the young girl, Sophie, in Roald Dahl’s beloved classic story, ‘The BFG.’ Steven Spielberg will direct the film adaptation of the children’s novel.

Published in 1982, ‘The BFG’ is the tale of a young London girl and the mysterious Giant who introduces her to the beauty and peril of Giant Country. Barnhill joins Mark Rylance who has been cast as the “Big Friendly Giant.”

‘The BFG’ will be 10-year-old Barnhill’s first feature film role. She has been acting for two years and will appear in the upcoming BBC BAFTA award-winning children’s drama ‘Four O’Clock Club.’

“I feel incredibly lucky and I’m so happy,” said Ruby Barnhill. “Sophie gets to go on this wonderful adventure and I’m so excited that I get to play her.”

“After a lengthy search, I feel Roald Dahl himself would have found Ruby every bit as marvellous as we do,” said Steven Spielberg. “We have discovered a wonderful Sophie in Ruby Barnhill.”